A Fluffy Tale 2: Warm & Fuzzy (24 page)

Daniel opened his mouth, then
closed it. “Drink some wine, dear boy,” Leo said. “And please don’t let any of
us, including my nephew, force you into anything. I know it’s a lot to think
about.”

“And he’s not used to the Underwood
method,” Julian said, grinning at his boss. Leo lifted his glass in salute.
“Anyway, why don’t we talk about something else, give Daniel a chance to digest
it all? Daniel, I have a folder of information for you which
you should read. The only really urgent deadline is the enrolment on this
course if you want to do that.”

“I do. If I can afford it, I really want
it. Dr Woolley is brilliant. I really enjoyed his classes.”

“Well then.” Leo beamed at him. “Just do
it, as they say on television. You have enough money in the bank to go ahead.
Even if you refuse all help and your savings take a hit, in the long-term, it’s
an investment in your future you simply cannot afford not to make.”

“Spen?”

Spen took Daniel’s hands. “I agree with
them. Damn it, Danny, it’s what needs to happen. Dee and Alex will agree with
me. Dee’s told me a few times how sorry she is that you had to give up your
studies. Alex just wants you to be happy. So do I.”

Daniel tried to smile but his lips
trembled. Spen took him into a hug and let him hide his face against his
shoulder. “Thank you,” he mouthed to the others.

“You’re welcome,” Julian mouthed back.
“Zachary, I need a hand with the meal. Would you mind?”

Zachary frowned at his husband for the few
microseconds it took for spousal telepathy to kick in. “Of course not.”

“Ah, and I believe I forgot something in my
apartment. Julian, if you would help me up? Thank you.” Leo picked up his cane.
“How long to supper?”

“At least half an hour.”

“Then that gives me time to find what I
forgot.” Leo winked at Spen. “Take your time,” he said quietly.

Left alone by his considerate friends, Spen
could push Daniel back so he could look into his eyes. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Sorry.” He wiped at his eyes. “It’s
just been....”

“Tough. I know. You’ve done a brilliant job
looking after them. Now it’s your turn.”

“Can I really enrol this late? What about
prep reading?”

“Enrol, then talk to Dr Woolley. Don’t tell
me he wouldn’t be sympathetic.”

“He would. He offered to help when I told
him I had to drop out but at the time there was just no way I could stay.”

“Well then. And with the kids away, you’ve
got time to yourself to read up. I can help.”

“You already do. You did go behind my back
though.”

“Nope, I swear. All them. I hoped they
could find the answers, but without Julian and Zachary doing the research, I
wouldn’t have had a clue.”

Daniel buried his head in his shoulder
again, his arms going tight around Spen. Kani and Myko abandoned their friends
and came over, squirming into Spen and Daniel’s laps, squeaking and meeping for
attention. Spen freed a hand to pet them both. “It’s okay, squirts. It’s more
than okay.”

Daniel leaned back. “You know, everyone
keeps going on about how terrible it was I ended up in that job and being
targeted by Tony. But since I’d never have met you, never got together with
you...maybe it wasn’t so unlucky.”

“Oh Danny. I wouldn’t want to be with
anyone at that price.”

“No, I get that. But since I didn’t have
any choice...I’m glad things turned out this way.” Kani, who’d managed to make
his way up to Daniel’s shoulder, chirped. “He agrees.”

From Spen’s lap, came another chirp. “So
does someone else.” He leaned in and kissed Daniel. “I think I might just love
you quite a bit.”

Daniel grinned, his eyes shining. “I think
I might love you too.”

A clatter of something dropped in the
kitchen reminded them that they weren’t alone. Spen smiled and moved back.
“We’ll talk about this later. Let’s go help.”

“Aye aye, cap’n.”

Kani and Myko did somersaults, then ran
over to the kitchen area to cause whatever mischief they could find. Which,
with kems, was always going to be a
lot.

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